Germany’s Max Schoenhaus has advanced to the semi-finals of the Junior Championships at Wimbledon, marking his second consecutive appearance in a Junior Grand Slam semi-final. Schoenhaus defeated Benjamin Willwerth from the United States with a score of 7-6(2) 6-3, securing his place in the last four.
The 17-year-old previously reached the finals at Roland Garros but lost to Niels McDonald in an all-German match. Now, he is one victory away from another opportunity for Junior Grand Slam success. He will face Bulgaria’s Ivan Ivanov for a spot in the final, while Alexander Vasilev and Ronit Karki of the United States compete in the other semi-final.
Schoenhaus expressed his excitement about becoming the first German boy since Maximilian Marterer in 2013 to reach Wimbledon’s semi-finals. “It was always a goal to do well here,” Schoenhaus told itftennis.com. “It is an achievement to reach the semi-finals, but I hope to go to the final.”
Philipp Petzschner, who coaches under-18 boys for Germany’s Tennis Federation and is part of Schoenhaus’s coaching team, praised his performance: “I am very pleased with his performance, particularly after the final at Roland Garros.” Petzschner himself reached Wimbledon’s junior semi-finals in 2001 and went on to achieve significant success as a professional player.
Schoenhaus hopes to build on his experience from Roland Garros as he aims for further success at Wimbledon. “Going deep at Roland Garros has really helped me when it comes to big matches,” he said.
Petzschner added that having someone who has experienced similar situations can be beneficial: “I always tell him that if there is anything he needs, I am there.”
A complete list of results from this year’s Junior Championships can be accessed online.